Children, Family and Community Connections

July 2024–June 2025

Our work for children, youth and families, focuses on programs and activities that promote well-being, reduce harm and improve health and education outcomes. The Prevention Unit is part of Children, Family & Community Connections (CFCC) Division of Clackamas County Health, Housing and Human Services Department.

Prevention Unit

Funding

Over 60% of our budget directly supports non-profit organizations and community partners.

Revenue

• State funds (34%)
• County funds (29%)
• Federal funds (18%)
• Other funds (19%)

Our work includes

• Domestic Violence Response
• Early Learning
• Parenting Education
• Substance Use Prevention
• Youth Engagement

Specialized Services

Through agreements with community partners, we supported:

• Child abuse medical assessments
• Services for children of incarcerated parents
• Therapeutic classroom and home-based services for children and families at risk of abuse or neglect

Community Responsive Work

• Empoderando Familias
• Youth Action Board
• Services in Different Languages
• Parent Advisory Council
• Culturally Specific Initiative for
• Domestic Violence Response

For more info

Jessica Duke
Prevention Unit Manager
jduke@clackamas.us

Domestic Violence Response

Our Domestic Violence (DV) Systems Coordinator provides support, coordination and consultation to the countywide community response to domestic violence.

95 Collaborative Meetings led towards system response improvement in both local and statewide DV efforts.

Through a federal grant, staff assisted with 621 Restraining Orders

Domestic violence is a primary reason why survivors find themselves homeless.

At A Safe Place Family Justice Center, Grant-supported staff assisted with 716 Follow up contacts with participants

13 Trainings 

Covering the following topics

• Strangulation Response
• Strangulation Forensic Evidence Kits
• Sexual Violence Response
• Statewide Prosecutors
• Family Justice Center Services
• Law enforcement Response
• Emergency Medical Response

1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men experience domestic violence in their lifetime

71 Strangulation Forensic Evidence Kits (SKITs) completed in Clackamas County. Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence. Use of SKITs improves medical assessment of strangulation survivors.

Created the first statewide Strangulation Forensic Evidence Kit (SKIT) Website offering information for law enforcement and medical personnel.

For more info

Sarah Van Dyke
Domestic Violence Systems Coordinator
svandyke@clackamas.us

Early Learning

The Early Learning Hub of Clackamas County (ELHCC) is funded by The Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care with state and federal funds. Our Early Learning Hub connects and coordinates early learning and family support services throughout the county.

50 families received scholarships for their early learning/childcare needs. 21 Local programs received a total of $105,000 to support families.

202 Children Enrolled in Preschool Promise

Preschool Promise (PSP) is a publicly funded program for free preschool to families with income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Families enrolling in Preschool Promise are referred to other resources needed to improve early learning success for their children.

9 Public Health Outreach Videos 

Produced videos on 9 public health topics for community education, home visits and school parent nights. Topics included positive childhood experiences, well child checks, immunizations, screen time, nutrition, literacy, firearm safety, and tobacco and marijuana prevention. Each video is available in English, Spanish, Russian, and Ukrainian. Local families participated in making each video. All videos are available online.

Community Events

• 38 car seats installed for families at no cost at a community car seat clinic
• 240 children participated in KidoKinetics large motor playgroups
• 40 Professionals participated in the Playful Inquiry Conference
• 37 families visited the regional Early Childhood Fair at Gladstone Center for Children and Families

30 Little Free Libraries 

Little Free Libraries offer opportunities for families to take home free books or trade in books their family has outgrown. You will find these libraries all around the county at DHS offices, school districts, Head Start and Preschool Promise sites. Over 2,000 books have been distributed to free libraries to support the love of reading and promote literacy in our community.

Professional Development

• 105 providers trained at Early Literacy Conference
• 115 providers trained at Cards for Connection Kindergarten Readiness Summit

For more info

Dani Stamm Thomas
Early Learning Hub Director
dstammthomas@clackamas.us

Parenting Education

Clackamas Parenting Together (CPT) is our parenting education hub. CPT is funded through the Oregon Parent Education Collaborative with state, federal and private funds. CPT offers parenting education classes for all ages of childhood.

390 parents across Clackamas County participated in parenting classes which are free, evidence-based, and culturally responsive.

97% of parents participating in our programming said they would recommend our services to others.

Parenting from the Inside Out 

62 parents, many of whom are incarcerated or on probation, participated in classes proven to reduce recidivism and improve family relationships and parenting skills.

Parent cafe training 

20 participants were trained to host parent cafes: a low-barrier, community-building family support model

Increased Confidence

Families participating in parenting classes reported significant growth in understanding their goals and values as parents, as well as how to protect children from unsafe situations.

While classes are open to anyone regardless of income, 75% of participants identified as low income and used at least one public resource such as WIC, OHP, SNAP/TANF.

Class Topics Included:

• Mindful Parenting
• Positive Discipline
• Changing Generational Cycles
• Dynamics of Temperament
• Substance Use
• Safe Sleep
• Potty Training
• Emotional Regulation
• Self-Care

Our motto: “Because every family needs strong roots”

For more info

Sophia Butler
Parenting Education Hub Director
sbutler@clackamas.us

Youth Engagement/Substance Use Prevention

We support substance use prevention programs and coalitions that focus on positive approaches, highlighting the natural strengths and abilities that young people have to help them grow and develop in the best way possible.

893 Youth participated in Positive Community Norms classroom presentations, resulting in a measurable increase in understanding that most peers do not use drugs or alcohol.

Reaching Community

• 581 people participated in forums to learn about and share their experiences in substance use prevention
• 439 people shared perspectives through surveys

12 Coalitions & Workgroups

Working to prevent substance use

• Clackamas Community Alliance (CCA)
• Clackamas County Prevention Coalition (CCPC)
• Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)
• Vibrant Futures Coalition - North Clackamas
• Empoderando Familias
• Estacada Prevention Alliance
• Oregon City Together (OCT)
• Community Living Above (CLA) - West Linn/Wilsonville
• Canby Prevention Coalition (CPC)
• Statewide Marijuana Prevention Affinity Group
• Tri-county Prevention Collaborative
• Youth Action Board (YAB)

PreventNet Community Schools

93% of youth participating in PreventNet programming reported feeling more connected to their school and community.

Youth Action Board 

Provides consultation to Clackamas County and partner organizations to assure programs are accessible, relevant and impactful for youth. Members completed 15 projects related to: 

• Housing
• Parks and Recreation
• Substance use prevention & services
• Statewide alcohol and drug policies

Positive Youth Development

• 304 youth received individual health and academic support
• 901 youth participated in peer discussion circles
• 1,884 youth engaged in activities fostering growth and resilience
• 453 youth and parents connected with prevention staff at outreach events

5,581 People strengthened Capacity, Connections & Awareness 

Participating in activities that:

• Built youth skills, resilience and connection
• Increased awareness of substance misuse
• and its effects on the developing brain
• Reinforced community prevention efforts
• Provided prevention tools and skills

8 Trainings - 119 Participants

Topics included:

• Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF)
• Active Parenting
• Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST)
• Naloxone for Overdose Prevention
• Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care
• Treating Co-occurring Opioid Use & Mental
• Health Needs

For more info

Brian McCrady
Prevention Specialist
bmccrady@clackamas.us 

Survivors of domestic violence are not alone.
 

Domestic violence affects every part of a community — public health, law enforcement, the legal system, child safety, and financial stability. Clackamas County offers a wide network of coordinated services to support survivors and reduce trauma, including the county’s Family Justice Center, A Safe Place.

The county also employs a full-time Domestic Violence Systems Coordinator who supports and connects the agencies responding to domestic violence. 

Domestic Violence Services in Clackamas County

Projects and Programs

We offer assistance to businesses to help them find great employees. 

Our trained staff work directly with hiring managers and business owners to identify qualified candidates and place them in positions where they can succeed. We also work with the new employees to help support them as they transition smoothly into their new position—greatly reducing turnover.

Services we provide

Applicant screening

Our trained screeners identify high-quality job applicants that meet your specific requirements.

Access to financial incentives

We can help connect employers and businesses to a range of tax incentives and wage reimbursements that help make hiring through our programs more economical.

Established worker pool

Our pool of screened job seekers is ready to hire with very little lead time and an efficient hiring process. We can get you the help you need, including facilitating access to work-ready applicants such as veterans and people with disabilities.

Ongoing support from Workforce Specialists

Our Workforce Specialists work directly with you and your new employee to reduce turnover and ensure the new worker transitions smoothly into your business.

Use of the employment resource center

If you need space to interview applicants, or you would like to sit down with one of our employment specialists, our employment resource center is available for you. Our Workforce Specialists are ready to help you find great employees for your business.

Children, Family & Community Connections (CFCC), has a long-standing reputation for delivering quality employment and training programs. 

We offer customized employment services for low-income Clackamas County residents. Our services increase skills, confidence, wage potential and create long-term employment opportunities. Long-term career path employment opportunities benefit both the program participant and local area businesses.

Employment Training Center

Located at 821 Main St. in downtown Oregon City, CFCC operates a job search and training center by appointment. The Center is located conveniently next door to the TriMet Transit Center with easy access to I-205 and Hwy 99. Services are also available virtually and community locations throughout Clackamas County.

Programs

Download a program flyer

Our youth-focused prevention programs are built on the core principles of Positive Youth Development, which emphasize creating environments where young people can learn, grow, and thrive.

Effective programs include:

• Physical and emotional safety
• Social and emotional well-being
• Supportive relationships with caring adults and peers
• Meaningful participation that elevates youth voice
• Opportunities for community engagement
• Challenging, engaging learning experiences and skill development

These components guide all Children, Family & Community Connections Division prevention services to support school success and positive life outcomes. 

Programs

Our focus is to support and advise the Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council and improve the early learning system by creating more effective means of coordinating services across disciplines, through the implementation of the Clackamas Early Learning Hub Strategic Plan.

The committee is responsible for:

• strengthening the development of parent advisory groups and increasing their engagement in the Clackamas Hub, CCELHC, work plan oversight, and program development and evaluation by identifying parent representatives
• increasing the percentage enrolled in kindergarten before the start of school year
• strengthening our communities with partnerships between numerous community groups, schools, and public or private organizations, with to share resources, traininge and collaborative opportunities
• serving as advisers in planning, implementing, and assessing of state and federally funded program services
• providing input and developing ideas for improving child care training support for providers and parents

Meetings are held the fourth Tuesday of each month, from 1:30-3:30.

Article I: Name

Section 1 The name of this organization is the Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council (CCELHC).

Article II: Purpose

Section 1 Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council (CCELHC) purpose is to convene partners and engage families in early childhood care and education to create a more coordinated system of services that will improve outcomes for Clackamas County's most at risk families. As the governance body for the Clackamas County Early Learning Hub, the council shall make all decisions of where to focus the work of the hub and the investments it makes. Its overarching goals are to ensure kindergarten readiness, stable and attached families and early learning system coordination in Clackamas County.

Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council members acknowledge and strongly support family engagement and equity as key values underpinning its early learning work.

Mission To create a high quality early learning system that integrates and coordinates efforts to ensure all children are ready for Kindergarten, and reading at grade level by the end of the 3rd grade.

Article III: Membership

Section 1 Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council may consist of up to 21 members all appointed by the current Council.

Section 2 Members of the Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council will be appointed to terms of two years. The council may appoint for additional terms as needed.

Section 3 When a vacancy exists, the Co-Chairs shall appoint an Ad Hoc Nominations Committee to establish a list of candidates for Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council approval.

Section 4 The Council members shall, at minimum have representation from the following key early learning decision makers: Parent, Education, Health, Social Services, Business, and CBOs.

Section 5 Appointments to the Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council shall reflect the county's diverse populations and shall reflect expertise along the full spectrum of the developmental stages of a child, from the prenatal stage through 8 years of age. Membership shall include persons who have knowledge of the issues and needs of children and families in Clackamas County.

Section 6 Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council members anticipating absence from official Council meetings shall notify and be excused by the Co-Chairs or her/his staff designee. After three consecutive absences the Co-Chairs will discuss the matter with the Council member in question. Co-Chairs will bring findings to the Executive Committee for recommendation to the full Council. A motion may be made declaring the position vacant due to a pattern of absenteeism. Upon a 2/3 affirmative vote, the position will be declared vacant, and shall be filled according to the provisions of this article.

Article IV: Officers

Section 1 The Co-Chairs of the Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council shall be voted on by the current Council membership.

The appointed Co-Chairs shall serve for a two-year term, which begins on September 1 of each even-numbered year.

The Co-Chairs shall call and preside at meetings, establish work groups and committees, and may serve as an ex-officio member of all committees and task groups.

Article V: Committees and Task Groups

Section I Executive Committee. The following shall serve on this Committee: Council Co-Chairs, Chairs of Standing Committees of the Council, and a parent currently serving on the Council. Presiding officer shall be either of the Co-Chairs of the Council.

Meetings & Duties. The Executive Committee shall meet to develop and review agendas; review and approve requests from agencies and individuals wishing to come before the Council; recommend to the Council new or updated policies and procedures, and review and make recommendations on other items to come before the Council.

In between meetings & during those months the Council does not meet, the Executive Committee shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Council. Notice of items to come before the Executive Committee will be given to Council members. All decisions made by the Executive Committee shall be ratified by the Council at the next Council meeting.

Section II Other Committees.

The Council shall have the following Standing Committees:

1. Clackamas County Early Childhood Committee. The mission of the Clackamas County Early Childhood Committee is to support and advise the Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council and to improve the early learning system by creating more effective means of coordinating services across disciplines, through the implementation of the Clackamas Early Learning Hub Strategic Plan.

Section 2 Each Standing Committee shall establish separate bylaws. These bylaws shall conform to the Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council Bylaws and shall be approved by the Council.

Section 3 Additional Clackamas County Early Learning Council committees and work groups may be appointed at the discretion of the Co-Chairs, shall continue until their purpose is completed.

Article VI: Meetings

Section 1 The Council shall hold a minimum of nine (9) regular business meetings per year. All meetings of the Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council, its subcommittees and advisory committees shall be subject to the provisions of the Oregon Public meetings Law, ORS 192.610 to 192.690.

Section 2 Special meetings may be called by the Co-Chairs, or by any three members of the Council. There shall be three (3) business days notice.

Section 3 A quorum of the Council shall consist of a majority of appointed members. A majority of appointed members is needed to take any action. No proxies shall be allowed. Council members granted an approved leave of absence do not count toward the calculation of a quorum.

Article VII: Conflict of Interest

Section 1 It is the policy of the Clackamas County Early Learning Hub Council that members who have an actual conflict of interest, refrain from participating in discussion, debate or voting on the issue out of which the actual conflict arises.

• Exception: If the vote is necessary to meet quorum needed to take official action, the council member with an actual conflict may vote, but must still refrain from any discussion or debate on the issue.

A declaration of potential or actual conflict of interest will be noted in the meeting summary. Meeting summaries shall include the outcome of each vote or action in which a conflict of interest was declared.

Definitions:

1. Potential conflict of interest exists when a Council member takes any action or any decision or recommendation, the effect of which could be to the private financial benefit or detriment of the Council member, a relative, an associated business, organization or employer.
2. Actual conflict of interest exists when a Council member takes any action or any decision or recommendation, the effect of which would be to the private financial benefit or detriment of the Council member, a relative, an associated business, organization or employer.
3. Deliberation is discussion leading to a vote on funding or prior to a decision on funding, which either decides or limits alternatives or choices in funded activities. Deliberations include those taking place separate from voting process.

Article VIII: Parlimentary Procedurev

Section 1 The parliamentary procedure for meetings and operations of the Council shall be the responsibility of and within the authority of the Co-Chairs. Decision making will be reached by consensus. In the event that consensus cannot be reached, Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be followed.

Article IX: Precedence of State Law and County Ordinance

Section 1 In the event any provisions of these bylaws are in conflict with Oregon Revised Statutes, Oregon Administrative Rules, the ordinances or administrative policies of Clackamas County, these bylaws shall be subordinate.

Article X: Amendments

Section 1 These bylaws may be amended by 2/3 vote of the Council provided notice of the proposed amendment, including its full text, has been given in accordance with the notice requirements in Article VI of these Bylaws.